Indonesia guide › Indonesia at a glance
Is it worth visiting Indonesia in the rainy season?
Yes, if you choose your islands carefully and stay flexible. From November to April, most of Indonesia (Java, Bali, Lombok, Flores) gets regular downpours, but it rarely rains all day: usually a heavy burst in the late afternoon or overnight, then the sun comes back.
Mornings are often clear, the air is stickier, and December to February are the wettest months. November, March and April, at either end of the season, are often a good compromise. The pattern is also less predictable than it used to be: a dry week in January or a downpour in August is nothing unusual.
The upsides:
- Fewer travellers, except in Bali over Christmas, New Year and the Australian summer holidays.
- Lower accommodation prices.
- Brilliant green rice terraces and forests, and waterfalls at full power.
- Peak season for Raja Ampat and Maluku, which have reversed seasons.
The downsides:
- Volcano trails get slippery and some close: Mount Rinjani on Lombok shuts every year from January to the end of March.
- Rougher seas: fast boats to the Gilis or Nusa Penida can be bumpy or cancelled, and visibility drops at coastal dive and snorkelling sites.
- Landslides occasionally cut mountain roads, and Jakarta is prone to flooding.
- More mosquitoes, and with them dengue: see the health guide.
Two dates for 2027: Nyepi, Bali's Day of Silence, on 9 March (the island shuts down for 24 hours, airport included), and the end of Ramadan around 10 March, when transport across the country is jammed.
Verdict: the rainy season suits flexible travellers focused on culture (Java, Bali outside the festive season), rice terraces or Raja Ampat; it's a poor fit for a plan built on volcanoes, boat crossings and remote islands. To compare months, see the best time to visit.
Tip: build in a spare day each week and schedule the big outings (sunrise treks, boat trips, dives) early in your stay: if the weather cancels one, you'll still have time to rebook.
Information checked in November 2026; confirm before you travel.